crisis intervention team

American  

[krahy-sis in-ter-ven-shuhn teem] / ˈkraɪ sɪs ˌɪn tərˈvɛn ʃən ˌtim /

noun

1. a group of specially trained police officers supported by mental health workers and emergency medical services, who are dispatched to emergency calls related to mental health and substance abuse, with the aim of reducing the role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in such incidents. CIT

---

Etymology

Origin of crisis intervention team

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

According to the police, the response that day included a crisis intervention team, made up of officers trained in handling acute mental health episodes.

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2023

His mother called 911 and asked for a crisis intervention team.

From Scientific American • Jun. 9, 2022

Officials said members of the crisis intervention team, which helps treat people with mental illness, had provided her unspecified resources in the past.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2021

On Wednesday, detectives and members of the police department’s specialized crisis intervention team found Hernandez in a park in San Pedro and spoke to her about the three incidents.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2020

I was in and out of therapy programs, and I know my mother once had to call a crisis intervention team when I was having a panic attack, though I don’t remember the incident.

From Slate • Jul. 3, 2018